Food system planning is the integration of food system issues into policies, plans, and programming at all levels of government work. It has recently become a recognized expertise within the planning profession and a growing network of planners and their partners are engaged in strengthening the community, regional, and national food systems.

As the metropolitan planning organization for the nine-county region, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) became interested in the food system when it became apparent how food affects and is affected by many issues central to the Commission’s work, including land use, transportation, economic development, and the environment.